Hoosac Valley Cuts Ribbon on Newly Renovated Track
Former student Steve Ferro, School Committee member Edmund St. John IV, Adams Selectman Scott Nichols, state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, former track coach Jim Fassel, current head coach Ron Namislo and Martha Labbee were just a few of the many who helped cut the ribbon on the new track. |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Steve Ferro remembers that when he ran track for Hoosac Valley High School the hard surface had holes and would ruin spikes.
"It was hard pavement," Ferro said on Wednesday when Hoosac officials gathered to dedicate the newly restored track at the first countywide meet. "I went to other schools and said 'I wish we had a track like this.' Now we have a better one."
Ferro was one of many gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 2006 Western Massachusetts Division III cross country champion was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident last year but returned to show his support for the coaches and runners.
"I came to support people I know who still run. I came to support the coaches," Ferro said. "I am excited for the new track and excited to be back here and reminisce."
Ferro had time to speak about his former cross country teammate Dana Labbee. Labbee was a star athlete who died in a motorcycle accident in 2010.
"He was a great kid. He had a lot of life in him. He knew when to goof off and he knew when to be serious," Ferro said of Labbee. "And he had a lot of ambition."
Since his death, Labbee's family has been supporting numerous activities through the Dana Labbee Foundation, including the new hurdles at the track that were dedicated to the track team standout.
Labbee was the school's most valuable player for the track team in his junior year, largely because of his success at the high hurdles.
"He loved doing the hurdles," Martha Labbee said at the ceremony, as she remembered his first days struggling to get over them.
Martha Labbee and her husband, Dana Labbee Sr., brought their son's track uniform and running shoes to the ceremony as a token of remembrance.
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Martha and Dana Labbee brought their son's track jersey and running shoes as tokens of remembrance. |
The foundation is also providing scholarships to students in this year's graduating class.
"Its just our way to give back to the community," Martha Labbee said.
And the hurdles donation is certainly appreciated by the coaches, who use Dana Labbee as an example of exactly what the athletic program is intended to be.
"It's not just about competition. It's the lessons of life that happen on this track," said coach Ron Namislo, who told students from every county school to do their best and if they fail, try harder to overcome adversity.
Namislo said the track isn't just for the students though, it is open for anyone in the community to use.
"We have to appreciate the taxpayers. All of you pay taxes, this is yours," he said.
The renovation was funded by the towns of Adams and Cheshire. The new track is part of an overall renovation of the athletic facilities done in conjunction with the state-supported reconstruction of the school. State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi also spoke and took part in the ceremony with members of the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee, coaches, former runners, district administrators and representatives from each town.
Tags: high school sports, Hoosac Valley, ribbon cutting,
